Miami University-Oxford Top Questions

Not to go here, and to pick a bigger school where greek life was not such a big part.

There will be days where you will wonder "What in the world am I doing here?". Even though you have roomates and hallmates, there will be days you will feel all alone. Even though you know you are well prepared academically, there will be days you are totally lost. Even though your parents pride themselves in having done a great job in teaching you right from wrong and you think you have good common sense, there will be days you question your values. Even though you have thought you were grown for quite a while, you really are treated that way now and that not only comes with resposiblities to shape your own future but the consquences if you mess up. But, take heart. Stick it out and give it time. You will find your place, your niche. You will figure out what it takes to be successful. You may have to change your study habits. You may have to seek help. You may have to form relationships with professors and peers. You may have to find your inner voice. But, you will work it out and you will find success.

If I could go back in time and give myself any advice about college life. I would tell myself to continue on with college even if you feel like you do not want too. I would tell myself to challenge myself and strive for greatness. I would tell myself to not be shy or scared about going off to college and experience the opportunity to fulfill you goals to become a productive member of society. I would tell myself long before my senior year please study hard and have at least three career choices and be prepared to choose a career by your senior year even if you change your mind several times while in college, at least you will have a possible goal. I would tell myself above all remember to have fun, study hard, become organized, and be willing to take criticism. This is the advice I would give myself if I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school student.

One word in particular stands out more than anything: BREATHE! I would tell myself to calm down and breathe. I would tell myself to not worry and to stop being so paranoid. When I was a senior in high school so many questions ran through my mind: What am I going to do the rest of my life? Where should I go to college? Can I afford to go to college? I was always worried when I could have spent my time just enjoying my last year of high school. One last piece of advice I would give myself is whatever decision I chose would be the right one and its alright to make mistakes. I am so happy with my decisions and that I stuck with my gut instict.

If I could go back in time to being a high school senior, the first thing I would tell myself is to slow down and take it all in. High school is truly a great experience, and it's easy to not recognize it's worth until it is gone. Growing up in a small community, our school was often not affected by things such as trends and prejudices. It's most beneficial attribute was it's ability to allow you to be yourself. If I could travel back to this time, I would tell myself, and my peers, to never forget who you are that day. For it was then that we were unaffected, and it was then that we truly were ourselves. Personally, I believe the best way to transition into the college experience relates directly to this, and that is to never lose sight of who you are. As trying as it might be, if you do this, you will find the right path. I feel that while we may all be united at one school, college is a journey each and every individual can take, even though the footprint and destination are totally unique.

I would tell myself, "Ask more questions, learn what activities and classes are offered, and learn about campus life. Tour as many colleges as you can; don't just focus on a small number when there are so many more out there. If you are unsure, turn to your parents. They are there and willing to help you whenever you need it, so make sure to always talk to them, even when you feel you shouldn't. Also, apply for as many scholarships as possible, even if you don't think you can get it or are unsure of your career goals. It could help you decide in the long run."

I would love to go back and to tell myself to apply myself more than I did. I was a somewhat smart student and pretty much got by without having to do much work outside of scool. This I think hampered me in the long run in that I had trouble applying myself upon entering college and therefore had to drop out the first time I attended. I would tell myself that this is the funnest time of your life and that you are also laying the foundation for your future and that it should be taken seriously but also looked at in a positive way. You have the oppurtunity to do anything that you wish to do in life and this is the time to start. I think that if I would have heard that from my future self it may have helped me out, but we can all go back and say that to ourselves in some respect.

Two things: DON'T FREAK OUT and don't expect everything to comply with your ideas and beliefs. When I was a senior, I had this elaborate picture in my mind of how my life was going to be when I got to college. But then I went to orientation, and I immediately began to second guess myself and wonder if I had chosen the right school and if I was even capable of accomplishing anything. My confidence had been shot and when the day came to move in, I was scared and even cranky. However, as the first few weeks progressed, I began to ease up and see that I could be successful and I could make it work. Everyday I was presented with new challenges and conflicts; new people, weird concepts, and my own standards began to confuse me and get me down. But so what? Maybe this is isn't exactly how I pictured it or wanted it to happen, but sometimes a new perspective and the chance to push yourself is precicely what you need to give yourself the opportunity to establish your purpose and path, not just in school, but in life.

If I could go back in time to when I was a high school senior and give myself some advice for college I think that I would tell myself not to pick a college just because I feel it?s the safe bet but to pick one that I might find challenging, one that would actually allow me to grow. I would also tell myself that I should go to a college where I don?t know so many people so I can?t be distracted from my studies by ?just hanging out? with friends. I would tell myself to stay focused on my goals and put them first in my decisions so that way I know that I?ll end up being where I want to be as far as my future is concerned.

Take a year before you declare a major, use that time to explore different areas of study and see what fits you best, what you are good at and what you enjoy doing. Join a few groups, they will help you build teamwork skills and have a support group of sorts. Enjoy life but work hard. Most importantly, don't discount something just because your parents said you should, they may not always be right but neither are you.